Flats, terraces, semis or detached houses, which homes are selling the fastest, and which are making the biggest profits? Let’s break it down and see how your property might perform if you decided to sell today.

The big picture

Not all homes are created equal when it comes to profit. Some are like hitting the jackpot, while others are more like finding a forgotten £5 note in your pocket, a nice surprise, but nothing life-changing.

Across England and Wales, the average homeowner selling their property in the past 18 months made a profit of around £72,000. But whether your payout is champagne-level or more of a prosecco fizz depends heavily on the type of property you own.

Detached homes have been the clear winners, with sellers earning an average of £122,500, a gain of 45% on their original purchase price. Semi-detached homes aren’t far behind, making sellers around £80,000, or a 44% increase in value. Terraced homes delivered average gains of roughly £64,250, equivalent to a 40% uplift. And flats, while the slowest performers, still brought in an average profit of £27,000, representing a 15% gain.

In most cases, homeowners held onto their properties for around nine years before selling, proving that patience really does pay off.

Detached homes: the jackpot

If you’ve sold a detached property recently, congratulations, you’ve effectively hit the property jackpot. Detached homes brought in the biggest returns, with sellers pocketing an average £122,500 profit, equating to a 45% gain from their original purchase price.

That’s about 70% higher than the current national average gain.

Detached homes are flying off the market because they tick almost every box on today’s buyer wish list. Since the pandemic, space has become the ultimate luxury. Buyers are prioritising gardens, home offices, and family-friendly layouts over short commutes or proximity to city centres.

With fewer detached properties available and continued demand for larger homes, competition remains fierce whenever these “dream homes” hit the market.

Semi-detached homes: the steady achievers

Semi-detached houses might not grab headlines, but they’ve proven to be consistent, reliable performers. Sellers made an average of £80,000, which works out as a 44% rise in value, not far behind detached homes.

These properties tend to attract long-term owner-occupiers and families looking to upsize from flats or terraces. They offer a balance of space and affordability, which continues to underpin steady demand across most regions.

Terraced homes: the solid middle ground

Terraced homes, often the first step up from a flat, also performed well. Sellers walked away with average gains of £64,250, representing a 40% rise in value over roughly nine years of ownership.

While demand has cooled slightly in some urban areas, terraced homes remain a key part of the housing market. They offer character, community, and convenience, making them especially attractive to first-time buyers and young families.

Flats: the slow burners

Selling a flat? You’re likely to achieve more modest returns compared with houses, but there’s still good news. Sellers made an average profit of £27,000, around 15% above the original purchase price.

That’s still enough for a round-the-world trip, a hefty deposit on your next home, or a few high-end kitchen refits.

Flats have seen slower growth in recent years as post-pandemic buyers prioritise space and outdoor living. Rising mortgage costs have also dampened demand in some city centres, where affordability is already stretched.

The takeaway

Whether you own a flat, terrace, semi or detached house, the message is clear: property remains one of the strongest long-term investments in the UK.

Detached homes currently lead the way in profitability, but all property types have shown solid gains over the past decade, especially for owners who’ve held onto their homes for several years.

With demand staying steady and supply limited in many areas, sellers are in a strong position to make healthy returns, particularly on larger properties in desirable locations.

If you are considering to sell your property, call our dedicated sales team on 0116 266 9977. You can also start with our FREE Online valuation tool by clicking here!